Question
Reference number: 802572 | Miscellaneous | July 26, 2026
What is the ruling on studying law and working in the legal profession?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, and those who remain loyal to him. To proceed:
Studying law is like studying any other discipline or field of specialization. The matter depends on the student’s own conduct, particularly their mindfulness of Allah, their commitment to avoiding disobedience to Him, and their refusal to engage in practices that contravene Islamic law.
A lawyer may examine the cases brought before them and should decline any case involving prohibited matters or serious doubts. They must not defend an oppressor, stand against an oppressed person, misrepresent facts, deceive, cheat, or undermine people’s rights. If they adhere to these principles, their work is lawful and carries no prohibition.
However, if they act contrary to these principles, they fall into what is prohibited, and their income and source of livelihood become unlawful. As stated in a hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), everybody nourished by suht (unlawfully acquired wealth) is more deserving of the Fire.
